If you are planning to take the IELTS exam, then knowing English alone will help you cut. There are several challenges, some academic and some strategic, and self-study alone is not enough. A coaching centre helps immensely with your IELTS exam preparation; many aspirants prefer them over self-studying.
The Challenges and IELTS Aspirant Faces
English is not our first language. So unless you are a native speaker or have been taught in English medium school throughout, you will probably not know the basics. And IELTS coaching helps with thorough plans that even beginners can understand. There are some other challenges too; you might even know some of them but tackling them needs expertise.
1. Procrastination
“We still have time”, said almost every IELTS test taker. We get it; the desire to have fun while preparing for tests is too tempting and dare we say, even healthy at times! But it should not be at the cost of your IELTS exam preparations. Sometimes, it can get boring and repetitive; with so many devices around us, it is quite easy to get distracted.
Self-study requires dedication and if not done properly, can lead to frustration and low self-confidence, ultimately affecting your IELTS band score. A coaching institution, on the other hand, regularly tutors you for a stipulated time and helps you achieve the target band.
2. Lack of Seriousness and Responsibility
When you pay for anything, you are bound to take it seriously so that the money does not go to waste. If it’s not you, then your parents might push you to take your exam preparations seriously just to ensure that the additional bucks you paid are fully utilized. You might also end up attending the classes regularly and getting your desired scores!
3. A One-Stop Solution
So many of us now visit YouTube to get information for competitive exams like IELTS. There’s no denying that the videos help to understand points but are no substitute for IELTS coaching classes. The classes and your teachers help you grasp the meaning and focus more on the weaker points. Helping you with time allocation, they ensure that your learning is a holistic one. Also, there are ample videos and each tells different things that can be confusing. Thus, there is no accountability which is not the case with coaching centres.
4. Tricks and Tips
Of course, there are tricks and tips to ace your IELTS tests but these are not to be followed blindly. One hack is the ‘TPT’ or test practice test method wherein you first assess yourself to know your strengths and weaknesses. Then, you practice to sharpen your skills and overcome your weaknesses and your tutor is the best person to help you do this. So through coaching, you can measure your progress and useful tips that are suited for you.
5. Proper Use of Time
In any exam preparation, time is of the essence. If IELTS is not the only thing in your life, then juggling preparations while doing day-to-day activities is tricky but crucial. Coaching centres will create personalized routines so that you can take slow but steady steps toward your target band score. With self-study, you get the ease and flexibility to prepare whenever but that is not helpful.
6. Tests and Retests
If you do not get the target score, you can go for a retest but that will cost you money. Instead, a reputed coaching centre like VCANXL can help you clear your first attempt so that your efforts and money are saved.
With this, we come to the end of our discussion. We hope that now you have understood how coaching and self-help differ and will be able to make a decision that will best aid your IELTS exam preparations. But whichever decision you take, we wish you all the best for your journey!
